Ciao!
Yesterday morning, we left our house at 7:05 am to meet the Florence For Fun student travel agency at the train station for our trip to Carnevale in Venice. We were scheduled to leave by 7:30, but didn't get on the road until 8:30 because they were so poorly organized with checking in about 100-150 kids. We arrived in Venice around 12:30 instead of 11:00 as originally planned. There were no spaces left for our busses in the parking lot, and that was really annoying. I think the guides were able to sense our aggravation because as we were leaving the bus, they pushed our leaving time back from 6 pm to 7 pm. All settled.
We boarded a water taxi to take us to Venice from the mainland, and it was a perfect day. The sun was bright and there was just a little haze from the water. It was so beautiful. I took a few pictures from the boat.
When we arrived in the main area of Venice, Maggie, Andrea, and I immediately bought masks. I chose a gold and white one, with white feathers and lots of glitter. Of course, I saw many others that I would have wanted too, but I could only afford one. Carla had brought a mask with her, and neither Kevin nor Jeff were remotely interested in sparkly, feathery masks. I guess that's understandable. We walked to San Marco where the major festivities of Carnevale were taking place. There were lots of people walking around, completely decked out in 16th and 17th century costumes and masks. (I was able to recall the names of all the parts of the costumes thanks to my History of Costume course.) Others had less-traditional costumes. I was intrigued by a man who was wearing a snail body so that it looked like he was riding it. There was also a man dressed up as a Playboy, which was kind of gross. There was a human sun that was so bright, I had a hard time looking at him with the real sun's reflection. It took a very long time to walk through the Piazza because the whole place was shoulder-to-shoulder people. On our walk through, I stopped and fed some pigeons. There are so many that if you bent down gently with some crumbs in your hand, they'd come right over and peck them off! I tried it, and it was fun :)
We got across San Marco and strolled around for a while, admiring the canals and taking pictures of all the gondolas. I didn't realize that there were so many! While we were gondola-watching, one came by with a couple in it. The woman lifted up her hand to show us her ring. Her fiancee had proposed to her on the gondola on Valentine's Day! Sooooo cute! We clapped for them :)
At 3 pm, the agency with which we had come had set up a glass-blowing demonstration for us. Carla wasn't interested in coming, so she got herself some lunch while Maggie, Kevin, Jeff, Andrea and I went to the demonstration. Usually, most of the Murano glass is made on the island of Murano which is right off the main island of Venice. This place was mainly just for demonstrations and it's huge number of showrooms. It was really cool though. The glass-maker made both a vase and a horse, and he made it look so easy! It's crazy how they do it! After seeing the actual blowing process, our guide brought us to a chandelier room and explained they way they change the colors of the glass using the natural elements. The chandeliers were absolutely amazing and the information was pretty cool too. Then, we were free to look around for a while. I couldn't afford anything, but their stuff was beautiful. It was so expensive because this store guaranteed that everything was hand-made. It also looked like a pretty famous store, as there were TONS of rooms with all different types of things.
After the demonstration, we scooped up Carla and started to do a little glass shopping. At the first store, I was terribly offended by one of the men who worked there. I was in search of small earrings in the form of a ball, so when he asked if I needed help in English, I responded in Italian (because I need the practice, of course!) that I was looking for earrings in the form of a ball. He rudely responded to me very quickly in Italian, thinking that I wouldn't understand him. He said, "it's better that we speak in English because your Italian is a disaster." I looked at him and said "Excuse me? Then you don't need my business." And I walked out. After the fact, I thought of a million other things I could have said to that guy, but I suppose my choice of action was sufficient. Maggie and Andrea were both with me and were equally shocked by how easily and nonchalantly he offended me. They also left immediately, following behind me. The next store I went to, I found my earrings and a few other things I wanted. HA. Serves him right. What he said is still bothering me, but Maria Pia assures me that my grammar is perfect and that all I have to do is learn more vocabulary and speed, which I'm already aware of and don't mind working on.
After our shopping spree, we visited the Rialto Bridge and took a few pictures. It was swarming with people, so once we had gotten our photos, we left. Then, we found a little place to eat near one of the canals. The food wasn't out of this world, but it was just as tasty as we had wanted. I had spaghetti with red sauce and mini shrimp. I had read that the seafood was very good, so I wanted to try it. I don't think this place was the most ideal restaurant for seafood, but it wasn't bad.
We left dinner at around 6:30 and bought some Bellini in bottles. Bellini is a champagne and peach juice drink that is very famous in Venice. We pretty much ran all the way back to the boat dock with these bottles because we feared that the boat would leave without us. However, we should have learned from the experiences that morning because we arrived around 7:15 pm, and didn't leave until around 8:15. Fortunately, it didn't matter to us. It was a beautiful night so we drank our Bellini and took a few pictures. When the boat came to get us, Maggie ran into a high school friend on board, and two foolish American girls tried to pretend to be French to Kevin. It didn't work because they couldn't speak French very well, and their fake English was absolutely stupid. Also, when Kevin called me over and said "Hey Elsa, you remember a little French right?," they got very nervous and turned around. How can an American think that they can fool another American? We all know that we stick out like sore thumbs.
Anyway, we got back to the bus around 8:30 and I passed out immediately. I missed 5 calls from my Dad during the ride (sorry Dad), but I got back to him when I woke up in Florence around 11:45 pm. Andrea and I decided to take a cab because the next bus wasn't scheduled to arrive until 12:30 am. We had a little trouble getting a cab because while we were figuring our plans, there was some kind of trouble between the cab drivers and a group of African men. They were all arguing and calling each other racists until the cops came over and broke it up. After that, the cab drivers got back in their respective taxis, and we went home.
I really enjoyed Carnevale. It was such a unique experience. It's amazing how much effort these people put into their costumes. It's really something special to see and I would recommend everyone to go if they ever get the chance. I hope that I can go back some day. It's most certainly classier than the American Halloween!
A presto!
Showing posts with label sometimes a little rude.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label sometimes a little rude.... Show all posts
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Teatro del Sale
Well, last night didn't turn out to be everything that we had been excited for. Elia (our cultural adviser) had emailed us in the beginning of the week inviting us to dinner at Teatro del Sale. All week, we looked up the place and reviews and got ourselves really excited. It's a type of club where you have to become a member to go, so we felt really cool to have been "privileged" enough to attend.
So last night, we met Elia in the center around 7:30 and all walked to the place together. It took about 15 minutes to get us signed in with our new membership cards and everything. We were so excited. When we finally got inside, the place was very unique. In the front room, they were selling artichokes in olive oil for 30 euro and sea salt for 15 euro. So, we figured that the place must have been really expensive. The dining area was very cool. It looked like an old, warm and cozy library with big leather couches and chairs, and lots of little coffee tables. Everything was fairly low to the ground, so we got all mushed up and very comfortable. Unfortunately, we had to sit at two separate tables because there were 9 of us, but the maximum place seated 5. It was alright though.
Once we got settled, the host explained the way the food and drink worked. Basically, the chef from the main room would scream out whatever dish was coming out of the kitchen. Then, it would go on a table and people would scramble to get some from the waiters that were assigned to dish it out. This main room had lots of tables and was much louder. So, I preferred our location in the back, lounge-esque area. We were also conveniently sitting right next to the never-ending, all-you-can-drink wine spouts. Everyone seemed to be entertained by that.
The whole night, the entire restaurant was basically on the same eating schedule. The chef screamed various entering appetizers and first course dishes for the first hour, and then moved onto the second course for the next half hour. The appetizers I liked included the freshly baked bread, kidney beans in olive oil, polenta with cinnamon, fuselli pasta with meat sauce, some other type of pasta with tomato sauce, sciaciatta bread soaked in olive oil, and mini meat balls. I also tried tripe since we didn't have to pay for the meal. For those that don't know, tripe is sheep's stomach, and it was gross. I don't think stomachs are made to be eaten. Anyway, the main course consisted of fish, veal, and chicken with the most amazing roasted potatoes. They were all very good. The chef also came out of the kitchen and walked around with huge sticks of bread that were made to look like femur bones. I got a kick out of that.
Now, despite the fact that all of this was very good and entertaining, we were also very frustrated with the crowd. ITALIANS ARE RUTHLESS when it comes to food. They can be rude and pushy and very unfriendly. At one point, I stood up at the buffet table waiting for the food to be handed out, and some lady came up from behind me and mushed her boobs into my back to get me to move! Then, she cut completely in front of me and I'm so short that the servers didn't even see me! Another time, I waited patiently for the veal and ended up being the last person to get served. At that point, all that was left was a bone, which I politely refused. I decided to share Kevin's.
At one point, I got my camera out to take a picture of my friends. Within seconds, the host came over and told us (in English, even though we had been speaking Italian the entire night) that photos are strictly not allowed. That was fine, whatever. BUT, I hate it when people switch to English when they are well aware that I know Italian. I think it's offensive because I know it means that they want to be SURE that I understand whatever it is that they want to yell at me about. It's always when we're doing something wrong that people switch over to English. I hate it.
After the meal, everyone was asked to get up and move their chairs into the main room for the performance. So, we brought over our chairs and our glasses of wine, excited for the show to start. As Maggie was setting up her chair, the same rude host (who we had originally thought was being really nice to us) turned around and bumped into her back, causing her to spill her red wine all over her dress. His apology was flat and insincere and he followed with "no drinks are allowed during the show." At that point, he walked away and didn't come back with anything to help her clean herself up. We were not very happy about that. Right before the show started, he came back to us specifically and said, very slowly in Italian, "do not under any circumstances get up during the performance." He said that to no one else but us. That pissed us off even more. How old did he think we were!? Five!? I've been to enough shows (better than this one) to know that you don't just get up and walk around during a show. We are not retarded. I know it was because we were the only Americans, and also the youngest in the place. So, Grace, Carla and Jeff snuck out while me, Kevin, Maggie, Maggie, Andrea, and Elia stayed for the production. It was some lady who sang and acted while her son (I think) played the guitar. Everyone was laughing, but I didn't find it very funny, especially after all the singling out that we had to deal with that night. So, I sat there not really listening and dozing in and out of sleep until it was finally over. Turns out that Elia (who's Italian born and raised) didn't even like it or understand that well either.
We were so happy when we were able to leave. We remembered that Elisa had told us that we would really enjoy the dinner and show. But then, we also remembered that Elisa is a middle-aged, very rich and intellectual woman. Therefore, this place was exactly her scene, and not ours. All of the adults were very snobby and selfish. I could tell just by looking around that everyone knew that we were there, and that in their opinions, we didn't belong. I even saw Elia texting his friend commenting on the snobbery within the place.
I kept thinking back to the Yacht Club, the snobbiest place that I've experienced, and I have to say that this place, though different, was definitely more frank about it. At the Yacht Club, people are usually snobby to each other, and not as much to me. However, I wasn't a waitress last night either. So, I'm not sure what to make of it.
After leaving, we all went to Shot Cafe to meet up with Jeff, Carla and Grace and hang out. Elia surprisingly came with us (he's incredibly religious and rarely goes out at night), but looked so uncomfortable and out of place that we weren't surprised when he said he was going to head home. Either way, it was really nice of him to waste his time trying to entertain us when it was clear that none of us had wanted to be at Teatro del Sale. He said that next time, we'll all just go for a pizza. WAY BETTER.
After Elia left, we tried to hang around, but the mood had been completely killed. So around midnight, we all just headed home and went to bed.
Thankfully, tonight should be much better. Maggie, Maggie, Andrea, Kevin and myself are going to Benedetta's birthday party at a Castle in Fiesole. She's turning 18 and in Italy, that's the big one. It should be really fun!
Anyway, I have a lot of studying to do before that, so it's time to go.
Ciao!
So last night, we met Elia in the center around 7:30 and all walked to the place together. It took about 15 minutes to get us signed in with our new membership cards and everything. We were so excited. When we finally got inside, the place was very unique. In the front room, they were selling artichokes in olive oil for 30 euro and sea salt for 15 euro. So, we figured that the place must have been really expensive. The dining area was very cool. It looked like an old, warm and cozy library with big leather couches and chairs, and lots of little coffee tables. Everything was fairly low to the ground, so we got all mushed up and very comfortable. Unfortunately, we had to sit at two separate tables because there were 9 of us, but the maximum place seated 5. It was alright though.
Once we got settled, the host explained the way the food and drink worked. Basically, the chef from the main room would scream out whatever dish was coming out of the kitchen. Then, it would go on a table and people would scramble to get some from the waiters that were assigned to dish it out. This main room had lots of tables and was much louder. So, I preferred our location in the back, lounge-esque area. We were also conveniently sitting right next to the never-ending, all-you-can-drink wine spouts. Everyone seemed to be entertained by that.
The whole night, the entire restaurant was basically on the same eating schedule. The chef screamed various entering appetizers and first course dishes for the first hour, and then moved onto the second course for the next half hour. The appetizers I liked included the freshly baked bread, kidney beans in olive oil, polenta with cinnamon, fuselli pasta with meat sauce, some other type of pasta with tomato sauce, sciaciatta bread soaked in olive oil, and mini meat balls. I also tried tripe since we didn't have to pay for the meal. For those that don't know, tripe is sheep's stomach, and it was gross. I don't think stomachs are made to be eaten. Anyway, the main course consisted of fish, veal, and chicken with the most amazing roasted potatoes. They were all very good. The chef also came out of the kitchen and walked around with huge sticks of bread that were made to look like femur bones. I got a kick out of that.
Now, despite the fact that all of this was very good and entertaining, we were also very frustrated with the crowd. ITALIANS ARE RUTHLESS when it comes to food. They can be rude and pushy and very unfriendly. At one point, I stood up at the buffet table waiting for the food to be handed out, and some lady came up from behind me and mushed her boobs into my back to get me to move! Then, she cut completely in front of me and I'm so short that the servers didn't even see me! Another time, I waited patiently for the veal and ended up being the last person to get served. At that point, all that was left was a bone, which I politely refused. I decided to share Kevin's.
At one point, I got my camera out to take a picture of my friends. Within seconds, the host came over and told us (in English, even though we had been speaking Italian the entire night) that photos are strictly not allowed. That was fine, whatever. BUT, I hate it when people switch to English when they are well aware that I know Italian. I think it's offensive because I know it means that they want to be SURE that I understand whatever it is that they want to yell at me about. It's always when we're doing something wrong that people switch over to English. I hate it.
After the meal, everyone was asked to get up and move their chairs into the main room for the performance. So, we brought over our chairs and our glasses of wine, excited for the show to start. As Maggie was setting up her chair, the same rude host (who we had originally thought was being really nice to us) turned around and bumped into her back, causing her to spill her red wine all over her dress. His apology was flat and insincere and he followed with "no drinks are allowed during the show." At that point, he walked away and didn't come back with anything to help her clean herself up. We were not very happy about that. Right before the show started, he came back to us specifically and said, very slowly in Italian, "do not under any circumstances get up during the performance." He said that to no one else but us. That pissed us off even more. How old did he think we were!? Five!? I've been to enough shows (better than this one) to know that you don't just get up and walk around during a show. We are not retarded. I know it was because we were the only Americans, and also the youngest in the place. So, Grace, Carla and Jeff snuck out while me, Kevin, Maggie, Maggie, Andrea, and Elia stayed for the production. It was some lady who sang and acted while her son (I think) played the guitar. Everyone was laughing, but I didn't find it very funny, especially after all the singling out that we had to deal with that night. So, I sat there not really listening and dozing in and out of sleep until it was finally over. Turns out that Elia (who's Italian born and raised) didn't even like it or understand that well either.
We were so happy when we were able to leave. We remembered that Elisa had told us that we would really enjoy the dinner and show. But then, we also remembered that Elisa is a middle-aged, very rich and intellectual woman. Therefore, this place was exactly her scene, and not ours. All of the adults were very snobby and selfish. I could tell just by looking around that everyone knew that we were there, and that in their opinions, we didn't belong. I even saw Elia texting his friend commenting on the snobbery within the place.
I kept thinking back to the Yacht Club, the snobbiest place that I've experienced, and I have to say that this place, though different, was definitely more frank about it. At the Yacht Club, people are usually snobby to each other, and not as much to me. However, I wasn't a waitress last night either. So, I'm not sure what to make of it.
After leaving, we all went to Shot Cafe to meet up with Jeff, Carla and Grace and hang out. Elia surprisingly came with us (he's incredibly religious and rarely goes out at night), but looked so uncomfortable and out of place that we weren't surprised when he said he was going to head home. Either way, it was really nice of him to waste his time trying to entertain us when it was clear that none of us had wanted to be at Teatro del Sale. He said that next time, we'll all just go for a pizza. WAY BETTER.
After Elia left, we tried to hang around, but the mood had been completely killed. So around midnight, we all just headed home and went to bed.
Thankfully, tonight should be much better. Maggie, Maggie, Andrea, Kevin and myself are going to Benedetta's birthday party at a Castle in Fiesole. She's turning 18 and in Italy, that's the big one. It should be really fun!
Anyway, I have a lot of studying to do before that, so it's time to go.
Ciao!
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